Hearing aid including a programmable processor

Abstract

A hearing aid comprises a programmable processor, a first memory device and a receiver which is coupled thereto and which serves to receive control signals from a remote control. The remote control comprises a transmitter for sending control signals to the hearing aid. A set of instructions which can be executed by the programmable processor can be sent to the hearing aid by the remote control via the control signals. The hearing aid is designed so as to store the control signals in the first memory means.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A hearing aid comprising: a first memory means and a receiver which is coupled thereto and which serves to receive wireless control signals from a remote control and which serves to store the control signals in the first memory means, characterized in that the hearing aid further comprises a programmable processor, and the control signals include a first set of instructions which can be executed by the programmable processor, and wherein the hearing aid also comprises a second memory means for temporarily storing a second set of instructions which can be executed by the programmable processor and which are received from the remote control via the control signals, said hearing aid being operative so as to store the second set of instructions which can be executed by the programmable processor in the first memory means after said second set of instructions has been completely received. 
     
     
       2. A remote control for control of a hearing aid, comprising: 
       means for coupling the remote control to a device for loading into the remote control at least a first and a second set of instructions for execution by a programmable processor located in the hearing aid,  
       means for storing at least said first and second sets of instructions,  
       a transmitter for transmitting to the hearing aid said first and second stored sets of instructions, and  
       at least one selection means for selecting one of the stored sets of instructions for transmission to the hearing aid for execution by the programmable processor therein.  
     
     
       3. A remote control as claimed in claim  2  for control of a further hearing aid which comprises a further programmable processor, wherein the remote control comprises a single selection means for selecting a set of instructions which can be executed by the programmable processor and which are to be sent to the hearing aid, and for selecting a further set of instructions which can be executed by the further programmable processor and which are to be sent to the further hearing aid. 
     
     
       4. A remote control for controlling a hearing aid, comprising: a transmitter, wherein the remote control can be coupled to and decoupled from a device for loading into the remote control at least one set of instructions which can be executed by a programmable processor located in the hearing aid, the transmitter being operative so as to send the set of instructions to the hearing aid which can be executed by the programmable processor in the hearing aid, and further comprising: 
       means for storing at least two sets of instructions corresponding to different control functions of the hearing aid, and  
       selection means for selecting, under control by a user of the hearing aid, one of the stored sets of instructions, wherein  
       the transmitter transmits the selected one of the stored sets of instructions to the hearing aid for execution by the programmable processor therein.  
     
     
       5. A remote control as claimed in claim  4  wherein one of said two sets of instructions control the volume of the hearing aid and a second one of said two sets of instructions controls the transfer function of a signal path in the hearing aid between an input microphone and an output speaker thereof. 
     
     
       6. A hearing aid comprising: a first memory means and a receiver which is coupled thereto and which serves to receive wireless control signals from a remote control and which serves to store the control signals in the first memory means, characterized in that the hearing aid further comprises a programmable processor, and the control signals include a first set of instructions which can be executed by the programmable processor, and further comprising a signal path between an input microphone and an output speaker, said signal path including an analog/digital converter and a digital/analog converter and wherein said signal path further comprises said programmable processor, said hearing aid further comprising second memory means for temporary storage of a second set of instructions received from the remote control for execution by the programmable processor, said first and second memory means being coupled to the programmable processor, and a control oscillator controlled by control signals from the remote control for generating clock signals for control of the programmable processor and the first and second memory means. 
     
     
       7. A hearing aid as claimed in claim  6  wherein the programmable processor derives further control signals for control of the first and second memory means. 
     
     
       8. A hearing aid comprising: a first memory means and a receiver which is coupled thereto and which serves to receive wireless control signals from a remote control and which serves to store the control signals in the first memory means, characterized in that the hearing aid further comprises a programmable processor, and the control signals include a first set of instructions which can be executed by the programmable processor and further comprising: 
       a control circuit having a control input coupled to an output of said receiver and responsive to the control signals received by the receiver from said remote control, and  
       a frequency controllable oscillator having an input for receiving a control signal from an output of the control circuit which supplies a frequency controlled clock signal to said programmable processor which is determined by the control signals received from said remote control.